Keeping your body in balance

Could you spot someone having a Stroke?

Today, my big sister shared a link on FB about the importance of knowing the warning signs of someone who is having a stroke. According to the post:

“A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke…totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.”

I cannot verify this, but I know from what I have learned that the sooner you can get a stroke victim treatment, the better the outcomes. So I went to the American Stroke Association’s website and found this helpful acronym (above) to remember that these people need help fast! If someone suddenly falls, or looses consciousness, or just “zone’s out”, or is “acting funny” for no apparent reason, check for these 3 signs and then call 911 if any of them don’t seem right.

Ask them to smile; does the face seem even and symmetrical, or is it not raising on one side?

Ask them to raise their arms; do they both raise evenly or is one not able to raise or strays to the side?

Ask them to repeat a simple phrase, “The sky is blue.” or “Chicken Noodle Soup.”; can they repeat it correctly and coherently, or is it slurred or out if sequence?

Do not hesitate to get someone emergency help if they are displaying these signs. The FB post also mentioned having the person stick out their tongue, does it stay in the middle of the mouth or deviate to one side? The latter could also indicate a stroke, if you can remember that one. I suggest just sticking to FAST and know what each letter means. You could save someone’s life or at least minimize the damage to their brain.
For more info, visit the American Stroke Association’s website or view the video below, from that site.